Shanahan explains 49ers’ fourth-down play calls in loss to Vikings

Shanahan explains 49ers’ fourth-down play calls in loss to Vikings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers wasted multiple opportunities in Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.

San Francisco was 1-for-3 on fourth downs in the game, and the two failed conversion attempts proved to be costly.

The first turnover on downs occurred when quarterback Brock Purdy threw an incomplete pass to wide receiver Jauan Jennings on fourth-and-2 with 10:31 remaining in the second quarter. The ensuing Vikings drive resulted in a booming 97-yard touchdown from Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold to wide receiver Justin Jefferson to extend the Vikings’ lead to 10-0.

San Francisco went for it on fourth down twice on its next drive. Purdy completed a 25-yard pass to Jennings on fourth-and-3 from the Minnesota 45-yard line but failed to convert on its second attempt after Purdy scrambled and was tackled short of the first-down marker on fourth-and-2 from the Minnesota 2-yard line, capping a 15-play drive with zero points.

In speaking to reporters after the game, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan explained his approach to the fourth-down decisions.

“I didn’t mind the decision in those situations. Where we were at on the field,” Shanahan said. “When you’re just right outside of field goal range, the down and distance and I didn’t mind going for it inside the [2-yard line], knowing that we’ll pin them back. They made a hell of a play to get out of there but didn’t like the results. obviously.”

The 49ers played poorly on both sides of the ball and perhaps Purdy’s two turnovers were the most costly.

However, when you lose by one score, the two failed fourth-down attempts loom even larger.